JOHNSTON REGIONAL AIRPORT shines in NCDOT State of Aviation report

By Randy Capps

SMITHFIELD —The North Carolina Department of Transportation released its North Carolina: The State of Aviation report recently, and it’s 16 pages of facts and figures touting the economic benefits and impact of aviation on our state and local economy.

It’s good data, but Chris Johnson, director of Johnston County Economic Development, drilled it down for a crowd gathered at Johnston Regional Airport to celebrate the report’s release last month.

“When you look at this facility alone,” he said, pointing around the hangar in which the press conference was held, “there’s close to $40 million worth of aircraft, and that means a huge impact for the county of Johnston when you think about tax revenue. None of these we have to run water or sewer to, none of these we have to educate and they drink a lot of fuel, which goes into the coffers of the county. That’s the true importance of the airport and why we’re here.”

The report states that Johnston Regional Airport (JNX) generates about $210 million in economic output annually, in addition to sustaining 1,100 jobs. The facility also generates $74.17 million in personal income and about $13.6 million in state and local tax revenue each year.

“(The report) confirms what we all know and believe, which is that the airport is rolling like the rest of the county,” Johnston County Board of Commissioners Chairman Butch Lawter said. “It’s great to take a minute and step back and celebrate the things that are positive that are going on, and JNX, Johnston Regional Airport, is just one of the gems of Johnston County.”

N.C. House Representatives Donna White and Larry Strickland and newly-elected State Senator Benton Sawrey were also on hand for the announcement.

“It is an integral part of the economic engine of Johnston County,” Sawrey said. “When large corporations come to talk about Johnston County as a landing place for a manufacturing plant or investment, they look to see if this runway has capacity. They look for available hangar space to move employees and executives in and out.

“It’s come a long way. I was talking to (JNX Airport Director Phil Lanier) on the way over here, and discussing how it (used to be) a single building and a grass field. … Now we have these beautiful terminals and these new investments, so just like Johnston County is continuing to grow, this airport is continuing to grow.”

The evolution of JNX also feeds the county’s overall economic development, giving Johnson and his staff a bigger, more modern airport to present to would-be corporate partners.

“The airport here, with the growth of RDU that we’re excited about, is a huge marketing tool for the county,” Johnson said. “With that, some of those jets are being relocated, and we want to make sure we get a good piece of that pie. … When you’re buying a $13 million aircraft, you want to make sure to put that in a garage. These hangars are high-class garages for aircraft, and we’re excited about the future here.”

The complete report is available at www.ncdot.gov/ aviation.